A Look Back at 2015 in Waitsburg and Prescott

Twenty-fifteen in Waitsburg has been a year of celebrations and new beginnings. Local dignitaries visited the city during May's Waitsburg Celebration Days to recognize the city's 150th birthday and to dedicate the historic bronze statues that now reside on Main Street. Several new businesses – Whiskey Creek Sports Bar and Grill, Gleason's Galley, Tricho Cuts, and Ameri – hung their shingles; and Kindergarten teacher Pam Nolan-Beasley received national recognition (again!) for her teaching skills.

It's even possible that Waitsburg could become home base for regional racing events. One can only imagine what is in store for 2016!

January

Jim Lynch took the helm as Waitsburg's new public works director. He replaced Dan Katsel, who retired after 40 years with the city.

The Waitsburg Planning Commission continued to discuss a proposed 42-acre, 114-unit subdivision called Whoopemup Meadows, located in northeast Waitsburg, with Warren Land Company owners, Mary and Gene Warren. A discrepancy arose regarding ownership of water and sewer lines that were installed by the Port of Walla Walla, and located at the industrial park next to the subdivision.

(At year's end, City Clerk Randy Hinchliffe said he believed an agreement has been reached with the Port, though nothing has been signed yet. The Warrens, who were requested to submit several studies, have put the project on hold until Columbia Pulp breaks ground on the new pulp mill outside Starbuck.)

Former Waitsburg city attorney Kristian Hedine resigned his position with the city following his election as full-time Walla Walla County District Court Judge. His associate, Jared Hawkins, replaced him as Waitsburg's new city attorney.

Waitsburg alum Larry Weir was named National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Washington Sportscaster of the Year.

February

Artist Suze Wood opened her Duke & Remington loft space, located in the Hubbard Building on Main Street, for a weekly Open Studio.

Waitsburg's school board voted to remain a 2B school for the 2015-16 school year, following the dissolution of the Waitsburg-Prescott combine.

Heavyweight wrestler, junior Tristan Newman, made his third trip to the State Class B Mat Classic in Tacoma, where he took fourth place, overall.

Emma Philbrook and Matthew Warren were honored at a Boys and Girls State Honor Night. Both Warren and Philbrook won Samsung American Legion Scholarships during their time at Boys and Girls State.

The WHS knowledge bowl team took first at Regionals and qualified for its fourth consecutive trip to the state meet.

Waitsburg Elementary School students bring in $3212 through the American Heart Association Hoops and Jump for Heart program.

March

Emily Adams (baritone horn), Korben Duffy (percussion), Tayler Jones (flute), Kitty Lambert (alto sax), Chloe Pearson (flute and xylophone), Chris Philbrook (trumpet), Ariel Sandau (flute), and Robert Walsh (baritone horn) attended Honor Band in Colfax.

The Waitsburg Historical Society built a mini-house in the back lawn of the Wilson-Phillips Museum to house a scale model replica of Wait's Mill.

The WHS knowledge bowl team takes fifth place at state competition.

Mary's Candies owners Nathanial and Erin Murphy lease space at Blue Mountain Station for their new candy-making business.

Following the dissolution of the Waitsburg-Prescott sports combine, the two schools agreed to co-op for baseball and softball the 2016 spring season.

WHS students bring home the dangers of drinking and driving with an "Every 15 Minutes" program.

April

The Waitsburg Lions Club donated $2080 to make final payment on the Waitsburg Ambulance Service building, located on Preston Avenue.

Informational panels describing Wait's Mill and Lewis and Clark's journey, and historically interesting machinery parts salvaged from the mill, were installed in Wait's Park, at the former mill site.

The Waitsburg Historical Society offered a $5,000 reward for the capture of the burglar(s) that made three separate break-ins to the Bruce House and Wilson-Phillips House museums, taking antique swords, guns, and medals.

Kate Hockersmith received Waitsburg Commercial Club's Community Service Award for her kid-centered service, especially as director of the Touchet Valley Acoustic Music Program.

Waitsburg Grocery received the Waitsburg Commercial Club's first Business of the Year Award for community commitment.

The Waitsburg Lions funded their first annual Lions Club Scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

Waitsburg Chapter FFA members Justin Lambert, Tristan Newman, Luke Alexenko, Devin Newman, and Mark Montgomery earned second place as a team at the state trap shoot in Pullman.

Devon Harshman and Ashleigh Hubbard were crowed co-queens for Waitsburg Celebration Days.

May

Pastor Mike Ferrians retired after 25 years as pastor of the Waitsburg Christian Church.

Karen Gleason opened an "old school" restaurant called Gleason's Galley from a mobile unit parked in the parking lot of AG-Link.

Jack and Nancy Otterson were named Waitsburg Celebration Days parade marshals. A horse with an empty saddle honored Karen Mohney who was selected parade co-marshal, posthumously

Kevin Blair and friend Paul Baumgart built a scale model of Wait's Mill as a "gift to the town." The model is housed behind the Wilson-Phillips House Museum.

Waitsburg Celebration Days, honoring the city's sesquicentennial, was a success and included a parade, ATV Poker Run, a marimba band, speeches from local dignitaries, and the dedication of three original historical bronze sculptures on Main Street.

The W-P boys won the Southeast District 9 track championship, outscoring Asotin 191-148.

Jeff Broom received the new Karen Huwe Mohney Exemplary Service Award at the 112th WHS Alumni Banquet and Reunion.

Woody's Pig Roast celebrated its 30th anniversary in Waitsburg.

June

The Waitsburg Ambulance Service dedicated their building to longtime Chief of Operations Richard Naumann, who died in April.

The newly constructed Whiskey Creek Sports Bar & Grill, located on the former site of the White Stallion restaurant, held its grand opening.

Hannah Grant and Emma Philbrook were WHS Class of 2015 co-valedictorians and salutatorian was Talen Larsen.

Waitsburg fourth grade teacher Margie Douglas, known for her Monster Cookies, retired after 42 years of inspiring creativity in the classroom.

The Waitsburg City Council initiated the process of annexing the Waitsburg City Fire Department into Walla Walla County Fire District No. 2.

Waitsburg's Izzy the Camel stars in an episode of the SyFy channel series "Z Nation" filmed outside Spokane.

Troy Larsen took over as WHS head football coach as Jeff Bartlow stepped down from a successful 16-year run.

The state legislature appropriated $1.7 million to replace the 90-year-old Main Street Bridge, which is a flood hazard.

July

The city council approves free swimming for the rest of the summer after having to close the pool temporarily following the faulty application of a new liner.

Elizabeth Gonzales opened Ameri, a new in-home care agency, based out of Waitsburg and serving clients in Walla Walla, Dayton, and Waitsburg.

A new community service group, Friends of the Waitsburg Pool, was organized to meet pool needs.

August

Waitsburg's First National Night Out event drew a crowd at the football field and was deemed a success.

Waitsburg and Dayton agree to combine for middle school football.

The Waitsburg School Board approved a $4.1 million budget for the 2015-16 school year.

Prescott author Susan Matley (aka Cimarron Sue) publishes her first novella, "Small-g City."

Waitsburg's jimgermanbar, owned by Jim German and Claire Johnston, closed this month as German becomes more involved with renovations at the former Pastime Café building in Walla Walla.

Student Life columnist Emma Philbrook submitted her 143rd column to The Times before heading off to college at Whitman in Walla Walla.

September

After many years without a youth football team the Waitsburg Giants, with players from Dayton and Waitsburg, returned to the field. The team is coached by former Giant Bryce Scott.

Matt Elder was hired as the new high school social studies teacher.

The Waitsburg Home and School Association raised enough funds to provide school supplies for all elementary school students.

Former library branch manager Amy Rosenberg returned to Prescott as district manager for the Prescott and Plaza branches of the Walla Walla County Rural Library District.

The Waitsburg Historical Society honored the two surviving charter members, Dona Jean Smith and Bob Patton, as Pioneers of the Year.

Nine-year-old Makenna Barron sang at all Big 4 Rodeo Association rodeos and was a semi-finalist to sing at the Wrangler NFR Las Vegas rodeo.

Waitsburg resident Tysen Beckner pled guilty to charges of severely beating the four-year-old son of his girlfriend in June.

Karen Gleason moved her coffee shop/restaurant from the AG-Link parking lot to a Main Street storefront.

October

A new interpretive sign placed on Highway 124 honors the Halfway House forage station, once located on the Mullan Road, just west of Prescott.

Waitsburg's city council approves a three-year plan to renovate the fairgrounds, including the removal of the horse track and addition of a Little League baseball complex and soccer field.

A dozen schools sent hundreds of musicians to Waitsburg to perform a mass band and choir concert in the WHS gymnasium.

Seattle resident, Lane Hill, is renovating the site of the former Farmer's Café, as a future printmaking studio and community gathering space.

Rural Youth Enrichment Services (RYES), a local nonprofit, has grown to include four independent youth-oriented groups focusing on music, gardening, art, and recreation.

Former resident, Teresa Hinchliffe, returned and re-opened her hair salon, Tricho Cuts, on Main Street.

The Waitsburg Lions club hosted their annual Salmon Feed BBQ.

November

Juniors Emily Adams and Landon Callas earned spots at the state cross-country meet in Pasco where Adams took home the fourth place medal.

Brandon Kelly approached Waitsburg's city council with plans to modify the fairgrounds for use as a track for regional dirt-track racing events.

The Kids' Big Give provided turkey dinners for 25 families.

Voters approve annexation of the City of Waitsburg Fire Dept. into Walla Walla – Columbia County Fire District No. 2. The District will also take over EMS services from the Waitsburg Ambulance Service which will be dissolved as of Dec 31.

December

Waitsburg welcomed the holiday season with a successful Hometown Christmas 30th anniversary weekend.

Greg Zuger retired from his position on the Waitsburg School Board following 24 years of service. Former elementary principal and middle school teacher Russ Knopp assumed Zuger's seat.

The Leos Club (assisted by the Lions) collected just shy of 1,000 pounds of food for the Waitsburg Resource Center.

The Waitsburg Resource Center will provide free lunches for children during the winter school break.

Kindergarten teacher Pam Nolan-Beasley was one of ten national semi-finalists for the Shell Science Teaching Award.

Izzy the Camel was to soon make the move from Highway 12, south of Waitsburg, to a pasture on Highway 124, west of Waitsburg.

Sydney Fowble won a $1,000 FFA grant for her goat breeding and raising project.

Stuart Walsh was selected as city council student liaison.

The late Leona Clarno donated $20,000 to the Waitsburg City Library.

Waitsburg's school board approved the formation of a committee to explore the possibility of a high school football combine with Dayton.

Waitsburg adopted a 2016 budget of $1.75 million.